Aidan stormed down the hall, his brow deeply furrowed with too much going on inside his head. Being there for his sister was first and foremost. But, also… as Dorian hurried after him, keeping up pace with the man… there was a strong fear for what had just happened with Dorian.

'It's not a risk I'd take on someone who's not important… to me…'

What had Dorian meant by that? Important… in what way? The thought filled Aidan with such an array of emotions he barely saw the ground he walked on. He felt… selfish. He wanted to think that Dorian liked him as much as he did him. But, if the mages feelings were enough to make him use blood magic to help Aidan… to put himself at risk… how could Aidan let him do that?

"Aidan?" Dorian said quietly, eyeing Aidan from the side, noticing his troubled frown. "Are you alright?"

"I put you in danger back there," Aidan replied immediately, his tone hard. "So, no. I'm not."

Dorian sighed lowly. "You're still thinking about that…" he muttered. "You didn't put me in danger, Aidan. And I don't regret doing that. I'm glad it worked."

Aidan glared down the corridor. "Why am I important enough for you to use blood magic for?" he asked suddenly, frowning heavily.

Dorian looked taken aback, "That's… an odd question," he said quietly.

"No it isn't," Aidan said firmly. "I shouldn't be worth that."

"Well you are worth that," said Dorian immediately, his tone quite hard. He swallowed quickly, "I'd do the same for your sister," he added quickly. "I hold friendship very seriously," he said lowly, "it's something I've rarely experienced, and it's not something I take lightly. That's why you're important enough for me to be willing to use blood magic for you." It was true… but it was not the entire truth.

Aidan looked at him for a long moment and Dorian fidgeted under the stare. "And I detest confessions," Dorian added uncomfortably. "So can we just move on past that now please? I have a reputation to uphold."

Aidan sighed, looking away finally. "I know that what you did… was no small thing," he said quietly. "I'm… sorry if I seem ungrateful, because I'm not," he continued. "But, seeing you hurt under normal circumstances is bad enough. I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt because you were helping me."

Dorian looked at him, but Aidan wasn't meeting his gaze. "Well…" he said slowly, "I'm not hurt. And neither are you so… Are you going to stay annoyed about it?"

Aidan turned to look at him frowning. He sighed roughly, "No I'm not," he said in a resigned voice. "Only because I have other things to think about right now," he added. "I won't forget what you did and I will repay you," he said seriously. "Right now I… have to deal with my parents," he added darkly.

Dorian looked at him carefully. "How long has it been?" he asked quietly. "Since you've seen your parents," he added

"About… 10 years I think…" Aidan muttered offhandedly.

Dorian raised his eyebrows. That was… quite a long time. "Maker…" he said quietly. "How are you… going to do? Seeing them again? This… must be difficult."

"I really don't care about them," Aidan said simply, frowning at the ground. "I care about what effect they are going to have on Eve. She… will think… well she will hope that they are here for honest, good reasons… to finally make up for leaving her."

Dorian exhaled slowly, "Doubtful…" he muttered.

"Exactly…" agreed Aidan darkly. "They want something. That is the only reason they are here. And they're going to break her heart all over again."

Dorian looked at Aidan seriously. "What are you going to do?"

"Have her back…" Aidan sighed. "I won't be able to convince her. She's… too desperate to see the good in people. It blinds her," he shook his head at the ground. "I went to see them. When I was about 17," he said quietly. "First time since I'd run away," he added. "Didn't tell them I was a Templar, obviously. They were… glad to see me. Wanted me to come home… at first," he added, throwing Dorian a dark, mirthless smirk. "Until I told them I was dating a mage… and he was a man," Aidan shook his head, frowning again. "And then, they didn't even mention Eve. Not once." Aidan breathed out slowly, looking down the corridor. "I'd only gone back to try and find this book Eve loved as a child, from our Grandmother. But… her room was now a parlour. All her things were gone. It was like she never existed. My parents are so big on their status… so ashamed to have a mage in the family," he glanced at Dorian. "Kind of the exact opposite of Tevinter," he added. "They'd rather pretend Eve wasn't family than admit that magic had manifested in one of their own…"

Dorian was frowning, feeling deeply for Eve. But also… suddenly struck by something he had never put much thought to before. "How did you come from them to be like you are?" he asked a little suddenly.

Aidan glanced at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," said Dorian, looking at Aidan with a small frown. "You… don't think like them at all. But, they did raise you with what they would have wanted you to believe. Yet… when they sent Eve away for her magic… you didn't hesitate to follow her. How were you so sure at your age that your parents were wrong?"

"I…" Aidan frowned himself. "Well I just never… thought about it like that…" he said slowly. "Eve… was my sister. And my best friend… why should her magic change that? If anything I was a bit jealous… I thought magic was pretty cool…"

Dorian couldn't stop a small, disbelieving laugh, looking at Aidan with a smile. "You think magic is 'cool'?"

Aidan flushed slightly, "Yes," he said defensively. "Anyway," he muttered. "Eve was scared… she didn't want her magic."

Dorian's smile faded and he felt for Eve again. He held back an angry sigh. He could not imagine having to be ashamed of your own magic. Being frightened of it.

"That's why I've never thought magic is the problem…" Aidan continued quietly. "I mean, Eve's this amazing person. I knew if she had magic it couldn't be a bad thing. People are the crazy ones. Doesn't matter if you're a mage or a Templar or… or a damn gardener. Crazy people do crazy things. Admittedly though… a crazy person that's a mage is a little scarier than a sadistic gardener with a shovel."

Dorian smiled slightly, glancing at Aidan, "Oh I don't know," he said offhandedly. "I'd be pretty concerned about the gardener." He watched Aidan for a moment, then added quietly. "You know… I… like the way you think."

Aidan felt his stomach do a little jolt. He looked at Dorian, a little smile coming to his lips, despite his darkened attitude. "You know…I've… noticed something actually," he said quietly.

Dorian glanced at him, noticing his eyes looked rather tender and his heart skipped a beat. "Oh?" he said quickly. "What's that?"

Aidan smiled again, looking away. "I've noticed when you cast magic," he explained, "You… do it so passionately… you love it. You clearly are very proud of your magic. And your skill. It's… nice to see," he continued, making a smile grow on Dorian's lips. "And I've noticed you've rubbed off on Eve. I see her actually enjoying being a mage now. She's not ashamed anymore." Aidan looked at Dorian again, "I'm… very glad you somehow ended up here all the way from Tevinter."

Dorian was smiling a lot, feeling a warm feeling filling his chest. "And you've watching me," he said cheekily.

Aidan groaned, "Of course that's what you took from that…" he sighed.

Dorian chuckled, "It's ok; I understand," he smirked. "You forgot to mention the other things you've noticed though. I'm glad you mentioned how talented I am, but you forgot to mention how devilishly handsome I am. I'm sure it's distracting. I apologise."

Aidan shook his head, but he couldn't shake a smile. "Well that's clearly why I watch you, not Solas," he shrugged, surprising Dorian by not denying he thought that. Then, Aidan stopped walking suddenly. They had reached the Commanders office and all of a sudden the situation became a little too real to Aidan. Eve must have been just outside along the walls, waiting for him to show up so they could see their parents together. But… suddenly he didn't think he could do it.

"I… I don't want to see them," he said suddenly, looking down.

Dorian looked at him in understanding. "I… know how you feel," he said quietly. "And… as much as it really sucks. You'll be glad you spoke with them."

Aidan sighed quietly. "And there's always alcohol later, right?" he muttered.

Dorian smiled wryly. "There's always that," he agreed.

Aidan glanced at the door. "I'm going to go find Eve," he said quietly.

There was silence.

Eve felt as though the stone ground beneath her had somehow merged over her feet, gluing her in place. All colour drained from her face as a wash of emotions cascaded over her. Her stomach felt as though it weighed of lead, her blood felt like it had turned to ice as she looked at the face of the man she once called her Father.

He looked the same, almost. Add a few more wrinkles, take away a little hair while colouring a fair share of the brown strands grey. He still had the same, hard and dull blue eyes. Nothing compared to the shining blue that coloured Eve's irises. The same strong jaw boasting a short, clipped beard, his mouth curled down into a frown. Except… the fact that he was family, that he was her father, did not connect with her.

She had never felt so distanced from someone she once went to for all the support in the world.

She could feel Cullen taking his arms away from her and another wash of fearful emotion coursed through her this time. Had this turn of events ruined what she had hoped to start with the Commander?

But, Cullen was feeling a trickle of irritation run through him. Who was this man to speak like that to him? He did not know them. They were not doing anything wrong. This wasn't a back ally hook up to be ashamed of. "Pardon me, sir," said Cullen somewhat tersely, taking Eve by surprise. "But I do not believe I know who you are."

Josephine gave a nervous half-laugh. "This, Commander," she said, composing herself, "Is Bann Trevelyan…"

Cullen paused, feeling a slow trickle of apprehension go down his spine. He looked at Eve, noticing she still hadn't moved, a tumultuous mix of emotions swimming in her eyes. Without hesitation, he took her hand firmly in his own, his thumb brushing over the back of her palm in a gentle, comforting caress. She blinked in surprise, finally breaking her gaze from her Father to look up at Cullen.

He squeezed her hand, then turned back to the man he now knew was her father. "Cullen Rutherford," he said nodding his head in greeting, but keeping his voice firm and authoritative.

The Bann paused before nodding back, "Marcus Trevelyan," he said lowly, before turning his eyes back to his still speechless daughter that he hardly recognised. "If I might-"

"Actually," Cullen cut in, "I am sure the Inquisitor would wish to see you and your wife somewhere private with her brother. Can that be arranged Ambassador?"

Josephine nodded swiftly, "Absolutely," she said diplomatically. "Bann Trevelyan, if would follow me please?"

The Bann frowned, giving a short, slightly condescending laugh. "So… what? You speak for the Inquisitor now, do y-"

"I will speak with you myself," Eve said suddenly, her tone cold and harsh like what one might imagine a whip made of ice would be like. "When Aidan, my family, is by my side."

Marcus Trevelyan was short of speech for a moment, staring at the girl who had never been so bold to speak to him like that. "…Very well…" he said finally, clearing his throat. "I will… speak with you then, Evelyn."

Eve felt a strange surge of emotion hearing her name roll from her Father's tongue. She swallowed thickly, her eyes prickling, but kept her stare determined as Josephine led him away.

The moment they were out of sight Eve felt her knees go weak, her resolve breaking and she didn't know what to do when,

Cullen turned to her quickly, pulling her into his chest and wrapping his arms around her back, one hand stroking the curls that cascaded passed her neck. Eve buried herself into the hug, as much as she had been preparing herself for this meeting… she hadn't been prepared at all.

He was just… there. After 14 years. There he was like nothing had changed, like they'd never left her.

"How could he…" Eve began, her voice wavering slightly. "He could he be so normal?" she whispered. "Just… stand there like… like nothing happened. Like no time had passed…"

Cullen didn't know what to say. He didn't know what he could say. "I'm sure… he just didn't know how to react…" he muttered hesitantly.

"But if… if he even missed me a little, wouldn't he… wouldn't he have tried to hug me?" Eve continued a little despairingly.

Cullen's heart throbbed and he pulled back slightly to look down at the woman he had just kissed not five minutes ago. "He might have been afraid you wouldn't let him…" he suggested quietly. "He may still be here for the right reasons Eve, he just might not know how to act…"

Eve breathed in raggedly, looking up at Cullen, her stomach fluttering wildly with nerves. "Thank you… for what you said back there…" she said quietly.

"Oh," said Cullen, the back of his neck flushing, "I hope I wasn't… too impolite to your father. I-"

Eve let out a small disbelieving laugh, "You were perfect," she said, feeling very much like this whole thing was some crazy dream. "I… was worried you'd be embarrassed…"

Cullen frowned slightly, "Certainly not," he said immediately. "That wasn't just some… hook up on the battlements to me, Eve… I…" he rubbed the back of his neck, "I care about you…"

Eve's heart skipped a beat and she smiled finally. "I care about you too, Cullen," she said, her cheeks lightly blushing. "So… so this means, you don't mind that Josie saw us?"

Cullen gave a small laugh, "No, I thought you'd be more concerned that your Father saw us."

Eve shook her head, "No he doesn't know me or you. What he thinks doesn't weigh an opinion…"

Cullen squeezed her hand slightly, noticing her eyes tense at the corners, her mouth hardening as she spoke about her father. "Shall we find your brother?" he said quietly, suddenly feeling a wave of nerves course through his stomach again. Not the fluttering type he got with Eve, but that type that could make you sick with apprehension. Because… what would Aidan say? After their last conversation… he wasn't sure what her brother would think. He swallowed, "I suddenly feel as though I should have asked for Aidan's blessing…"

Eve chuckled slightly, "Don't worry about him, he's already give you his blessing," she paused, frowning slightly. "He might try to bully you a bit though," she added, shaking her head. "He always gets far too excited when I have a romance life. Which hasn't been much in my life, so… be prepared."

At that moment, Aidan came walking out of Cullen's office, straight along the walls toward them, his face serious. But, then, his eyes flickered between them, he noticed their entwined hands, the small soft smiles… and he realised Eve was ok.

He smiled slightly, stopping before them and crossing his arms over his chest. "So," he said, his smile growing. "Caught in the act."

Eve blushed furiously, "Oh Maker," she muttered, "So Josie told Leliana everything," she said in a resigned whisper. "And Leliana thought it necessary to let you know? How thoughtful…"

Aidan grinned, dropping his arms from his chest. "I'm glad you seem ok,' he said quietly, glancing at Cullen. "How was... the mighty Bann Trevelyan, then?"

"Uum, well, you know he… he was fine," Eve said quickly, her stomach clenching. "I… I still want to give them the benefit of the doubt."

Aidan tried not to sigh, "Eve… please just don't get your hopes up," he said in a resigned voice. "Just… go in there thinking they're not here for the right reasons, so that you can only be impressed instead of disappointed."

"Aidan…" Eve sighed, "I have to go in there thinking they're here for the best, if I don't how can I let them make amends with me?"

Aidan squeezed the bridge of his nose, "Alright… Eve…" he said wearily. "I'm with you, ok?" he looked at her, resigned. "Now… would you mind going into Cullen's office for a moment? Dorian's back there, you two can chat. I need to have a word with Cullen."

Eve glanced between Cullen and her brother, but because Aidan had agreed to back her up in her hope so quickly, she nodded. "Fine…" she said quietly, "but be nice."

Cullen looked to Aidan with apprehension as Eve walked off, his hand now empty of her warmth. "They're not here for the right reasons, Cullen," he said immediately, taking him by surprise. "They want influence, they want money; they want status. They are going to try and convince Eve they are here for her and in the end they'll just end up breaking her heart again."

"I don't think Eve can be convinced of that, she's already too invested in hoping they're here for her," said Cullen quietly.

"I know…" said Aidan lowly. "So just be there for her when she needs you," he finished.

Cullen stared at him in surprise, then cleared his throat quickly. "Of course," he said immediately. "I will."

"And Maker, you better take it slow or I'll have to kill you," he added seriously.

Cullen nearly choked on his tongue. "I… I… of course… I'm not…" he stuttered, his neck burning.

Aidan moved closer a little threateningly. "And I swear to every creator that could possibly exist," he said in a low voice. "That if you hurt her, not only will I have to kill you. I'll want to kill you."

Cullen composed himself quickly, "Aidan," he said, managing not to stutter. "I have only the best intentions toward your sister. I care for her a great deal."

Aidan's dark look disappeared quickly and he smiled. "I know, Cullen," he said simply, then he slapped his shoulder. "That's the man I thought you were," he smirked. "Not taking my shit." He glanced back to the office. "Alright… I'm going to get Eve and get this over and done with," he sighed.

He walked back to the office, leaving Cullen standing there feeling very bemused.

"Eve," Dorian leant off Cullen's desk when Eve walked in, nodding at her and checking to see if she looked upset or not. "Are you alright?"

Eve smiled at the mage. "I'm fine Dorian," she said, moving to lean against the desk next to where Dorian was. "I didn't really have to talk to him yet. Cullen and Josie postponed it."

Dorian leant back against it beside her. A small grin twisted around his mouth; he was desperate to say something about the kiss, but he wasn't sure if the mood was right. "Very… sweet of the Commander…" he said lightly.

Eve sighed, "Aghh, I know what the only thing is you're thinking of…" she said dryly.

Dorian bit his lip, smirking. "Was it good?" he said quickly, smile growing. "Was it romantic? Did he…sweep you off your feet, as they say?"

Eve rolled her eyes, but a small smile hooked her lips. "He was amazing…" she said softly, a light blush colouring her cheeks again. "But, we've hardly had the chance to even talk to each other about the fact that we kissed so… just… calm down ok?"

"I'm far too excited for that," smirked Dorian.

Eve frowned at him. "Why are you here anyway?" she asked slowly. "How'd you know?"

"Oh, I was with Aidan when Leliana told him," he explained simply. "Couldn't wait to see you, obviously."

"You were there…" Eve said slowly, a sly smile on her own lips. "With Aidan… at this hour? Very early Dorian…"

Dorian felt a nervous jolt in his stomach, his smile fading a little. "Yes… well your brothers mad, Eve. That's what I told him."

Eve noticed Dorian could suddenly not look her in the eye. "What's going on?" she smiled suddenly, turning to face Dorian completely so that she was sitting up on the desk, her body swung in his direction.

Dorian frowned again, finding her grin over the matter to be thoroughly disconcerting. "What? Nothing," he said too quickly. "He was doing some brawl thing with the Bull and-"

"You know," Eve cut across, grinning. "I remember when I first told you about him you said if looks and wit ran in the family-"

"Eve, I was joking," Dorian said immediately.

"Why are you getting so touchy, then?" she smiled.

"I'm not," frowned Dorian.

"It's ok if you like him, Dorian…" Eve said slowly, watching him very curiously.

"Eve… I think your new little romance is clouding your mind with all your giddy love emotions," quipped Dorian sagely.

"Well…" said Eve idly, "If you did like him, I'd want you to know you'd have my blessing…"

"I meet the required standards, do I?" said Dorian dryly.

Eve shrugged, "I think you two would be perfect together."

Dorian stayed silent, this information causing his heart to beat a little too quickly. "Maybe you can answer a question for me…" he said after a long moment, deciding changing the subject and sating his curiosity could both be achieved here. "Do you know who Brayan was?"

Eve's smile vanished in an instant and she stared at him. "He told you about Brayan?" she said in shock.

Dorian sat up a little, meeting Eve's gaze. "Not exactly… he mentioned him. Said that he died, I just wondered… who he was to Aidan."

Eve swallowed. Dorian may be denying his feelings, or perhaps he was telling the truth, but Eve was certain that Aidan did indeed have a crush on the mage, and a big one too if he was willing to let him know about Brayan.

"All… I can say," Eve said slowly. "Is that if Aidan was willing to tell you anything about him… then he clearly trusts you. A lot." Dorian's heart skipped a beat, and Eve continued, "As far as I know he's never told anyone about him." Dorian didn't say anything, too busy thinking about that fact when Eve's expression became quite defensive. "Dorian…" she said almost sternly. "If you don't have feelings for my brother, you better not be stringing him along."

Dorian looked at her quickly, "I'm not stringing him along," he said in his own defence.

Eve held his gaze firmly. "Well, I think he might really like you," she said in a hard voice, eyeing him down, but her words merely made his heart throb. "And he hasn't really liked anyone in a long time. So you need to make sure he knows what you want, because Maker, if you hurt him, Dorian, I-"

"This is exactly why I haven't wanted anything to happen!" Dorian cut across, "I didn't want to risk our friendship, Eve. And yet here we are, nothing has even happened, and-"

"Dorian," Eve interrupted. "You only need to worry about our friendship if you do the wrong thing by Aidan. I love both of you and always will no matter what. Even if you got together and it didn't work out I still would be your best friend. You know… unless you cheated on him or something." Eve shook her head at him. "You silly idiot," she said with a sigh. "So… do you like him or not, Dorian?"

"Eve…" said Dorian lowly, glancing at the door.

"I won't tell him," Eve hissed. "Maker's breath, Dorian. I talked to you about Cullen."

"This is a little different," snapped Dorian. "This is your brother and you are basically threatening me to-"

Eve rolled her eyes, "Oh for goodness sake, just tell me. I'm not going to give it up."

Dorian stayed silent.

"Damnit Dorian…" Eve began lowly.

"Eve…"

"Dorian!"

But, at that moment, Aidan came walking through the door, running a hand through his hair and glancing at the two of them. He raised an eyebrow, noticing they both seemed a little riled up. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked bemusedly.

"No," said Dorian immediately, glancing at Eve from the corner of his eye. "I'll leave you two be to go see your parents…" he muttered, standing up quickly and moving to the door. "Good luck," he added briefly, his eyes catching Aidan's for a moment before he left swiftly through the far door leading back to the main castle.

Aidan wanted to leave the second they entered the war room. Across the large table sat two people Aidan would have been happy to never see again.

They walked in, Eve gripping his hand like it was her life jacket. Their parents stood as soon as they entered, their father standing back and looking a little awkward, but their mother hurried around the table.

"Evelyn…" she said quietly, "Aidan…" she looked between them, her eyes, brown in colour like Aidan's, but not in warmth, and they...appeared sad. But, Aidan did not believe them. She held her arms out, "Please?"

But, Aidan shook his head immediately, almost taking an involuntary step backwards. "What are you doing here?" he said demandingly, squeezing Eve's hand when she looked ready to let their mother embrace them, her eyes wide, and her vocals not working again.

Arlene Trevelyan sighed, lowering her arms. "We're here to see our children," she said deploringly. "Aidan please…" she almost begged. "We thought you were dead, my son. And we-"

"To you I am dead," Aidan retorted immediately, his tone harsh. "And what about Eve? You haven't seen her since you sent her away, and yet here you stand like no time has passed… all because she's the Inquisitor."

Arlene sighed heavily, "I understand how you must feel, and we know we have much to ask forgiveness for-"

"What are you here for?" Aidan interrupted, and Eve stared up at him. "What do you want?"

"Aidan…" she said quietly, and both her parents looked at her. "Give… give them a chance to explain," she turned hesitantly to look at her mother. "So… so explain," she said quietly.

Arlene stepped closer, looking like she was about to pull Eve away from Aidan to hug her. But, Eve stepped back. "No," she said immediately, "you don't get to just… make it all ok with a hug anymore, mother. I'm… I'm not 11 anymore."

"She's right…" said Marcus quietly, coming around the table to stand by his wife. "You're a grown woman now," he said to his daughter. "And we missed every bit of that," he continued. "We can't ask you to forgive us. All we want is the chance to make it up to you." He looked at his son slowly. "Both of you."

Eve was silent, her heart beating very quickly, but Aidan's face was pulled into a scowl. "Very convenient timing…" he snarled quietly.

Eve breathed in quickly. "Aidan has a point," she said firmly. "Why… why now?"

"Because, Evie, darling," Arlene crooned, "We realised what is most important to us. And we regret that we took so long to do so."

"Your status is what is most important to you," Aidan hissed lowly. "It always has been. Thing is, now Eve's title outweighs the inconvenience of her magic, so it's better for your status to be on good terms with her."

"Aidan…" said Marcus lowly. "You have always been such a good older brother to your sister. And I know you are just trying to do that again… but I think you are letting your anger get in the way of seeing this clearly. We did not part on good terms last we spoke, son. I apologise for what I said then-"

"Oh, you apologise do you?" spluttered Aidan madly. "Don't bother, at least back then you were speaking the truth. Saying what you really think. I would take that over this manipulative garbage any day."

"Aidan…"

"No," Aidan cut in furiously. "You told me that I made you sick. You said you were glad I left. Saved you the trouble of disowning me yourself. Saved you the shame," he snarled.

Eve was staring at her brother in shock. She had no idea of this meeting. "You… you saw them?" she asked quietly.

Aidan sighed, looking away from Eve. "Yes I did…" he said lowly. "And I didn't tell you about it because you didn't need to know."

"Why wouldn't you-"

"Because they didn't even mention you, Eve!" he burst out furiously, dropping her hand and looking at her imploringly. "Your room was gone. Your things were gone. Your magic was enough to make you dead to them!" he breathed heavily for a moment. "I didn't want you to know because I didn't want to see you hurting over them again," he said quietly this time. "And I'm sorry for just saying it now… but I can't watch you eat up their lies."

"But… Aidan," Eve whispered desperately, trying to ignore how much that fact cut her deeply. She swallowed, still so desperate to give this a chance. "That was a long time ago. They might-"

Aidan groaned furiously, ignoring his parents watching on. "Eve, I know you want to believe them!" he said desperately. "I know you've always wanted this. Wanted them to want you back. You want parents, a family. But… they're not your family Eve. I am. I love you and I want what's best for you. This isn't what's best for you."

"Please," Eve grabbed her brother's arms, looking up at him with wide, pleading eyes. "Just give them a chance, a… a few days."

Aidan clenched his jaw, turning to glare at his parents for putting this on them. "So your daughter is still a mage," he said lowly, not answering Eve's question. "Are you proud of her? Would you like to see her cast magic?"

Neither Arlene nor Marcus said anything. Aidan smirked with no mirth. "She's very good," he continued coldly. "Not that you'd know," he snarled. "And Father, no, it wasn't a phase. I still like men. Are you still disgusted by my choices?"

Marcus closed his eyes briefly, "Aidan…" he said in a low, resigned voice.

Aidan shook his head furiously. "Until you can honestly accept both of us for who we are I will never be able to forgive you."

He turned to his sister. "What do you want to do Eve?" he demanded, but his voice was a little gentler when he spoke to her.

Eve looked between Aidan and her parents, her heart pounding. "Aidan's… Aidan's right…" she said quietly. "I can't forgive you until you prove that you want our forgiveness, and that you accept who we are," she told them slowly. "But for that… we need time," she glanced uneasily at her brother. "So you can stay for a few days."

Aidan held back an angry sigh. The last thing he wanted was for their parents to be here longer. "You're lucky…" he said quietly, his voice cold as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "That you have such an amazing daughter," he glared at them both. "If it were up to me you'd both be gone." He turned away to the door, "I'm done, Eve. Talk to them all you like. I want nothing to do with it."

And with that, he left the room, the huge oak doors swinging shut with an echoing thud behind him.

Cullen paced up and down his office that evening. So much had happened in the day and it all still felt surreal. He wanted to go see Eve. But… he was in a little dilemma about doing so. He couldn't just go to her quarters… not at this hour. What would people think? What would she think? He didn't want to give her the wrong idea. That wasn't all he wanted.

He just wanted to make sure she was alright. But, Maker he had no idea how to even do that.

He wasn't very good at this…

Just then, however, the door to his office opened and a petite, dark haired woman slipped inside.

"Cullen…" said Eve quietly, looking at the pacing Commander who had just stopped in place to stare at her. "I… I hope it's ok my coming by. I just wanted-"

"Of course it is," Cullen said immediately, "I… I wanted to see you myself. But I… worried you might… think because… well," he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maker's breath… I'm not very good at this, Eve. What I want to say is: how are you doing?"

Eve smiled slightly, her heart warming. "I'm better now," she said quietly.

Cullen tried to steady his nerves, "It's been… quite a day for you…"

Eve laughed softly, "Sort of a mix between one of the best… and yet most difficult days of my life," she said quietly.

Cullen smiled slightly, "So your parents are staying?"

Eve sighed, "For now…" she muttered. "Aidan is… not happy about it," she continued quietly. "He thinks I'm too forgiving. And… maybe I'm more willing than he is to forgive them, but I'm not stupid," she said insistently, moving to go lean on Cullen's desk. "I want to forgive them. But, I'm not blind. I… I have asked Leliana to see what she can find out. To see if there is something in particular that they are here for. If… if she can't find anything then I will give them the benefit of the doubt. And I'll… maybe finally get to have parents again."

Cullen came over to lean against his desk beside her. He looked at her with caring eyes and she smiled, her cheeks blushing. "But, I didn't come here to talk about them…" she said quietly, shifting a little closer to Cullen making his heart give a jolt in his chest. "I came here… to talk about us."

"Us?" repeated Cullen, his heart picking up speed. "Yes that's… we should talk about that."

Eve looked down at her knees. "It's… important to me…" she said quietly. "Us… I mean. And I… just want to check if you… if this is more than a fling to you. Because… because people will talk. And-"

Cullen softly lay a hand on her knee, his heart nearly beating out of his chest as he did so, finding it so strange that this was something he could do now. "I want more than a fling, Eve…" he said quietly. "And… I hope… that whatever people might say, I hope… that won't bother you?"

Eve turned to look up at him, her heart fluttering. "Not at all…" she said quietly. Then, with a small surge of confidence, she turned to face him a little more, one hand on his leg, while the other moved up to run through his hair, coming to rest at the back of his head.

She leant forward slowly, her skin tingling and she closed her eyes before softly kissing Cullen tenderly on the lips. Cullen's heart swelled in his chest, the feeling spreading through his entire body as it felt so amazing to be kissed by Eve. He exhaled slowly, wrapping an arm around her waist, the other moving from her knee to rest on the table for support as he leant into the kiss.

Eve's hand tightened in his hair and she pulled him in closer, a slow, searing heat spreading through her veins. She kissed him a little faster as the blazing fire spread, her thoughts going a little hazy as all she could think of was Cullen. The feel of his lips, the touch of his hand on her waist, the scent off his warm, fur coat.

Cullen could not describe how incredible it felt to have Eve kiss him this way. He relished it, kissing her back with just as much fervour. But, when she suddenly slid off the table, quickly pulling herself even closer to Cullen so that she was pressed up against his body that still leant against his desk, he felt a deep, heated desire begin to burn within him. That desire flaring even more when she deepened the kiss, sighing into it as she pushed her delicately curved frame into his.

He pulled back quickly, breathing heavily. He would not let this move too fast. He wanted her to know he was in this for her.

Eve was breathing quickly herself, her eyes looking at Cullen with something he had never seen in them before.

Lust.

The look had heat pooling below his abdomen and he wanted to pull her in again.

But, he didn't.

"This…" he said after a long moment. "Feels very surreal…"

Eve gave a slightly breathless laugh. "You're telling me," she said softly. She looked down to Cullen's desk, her cheeks quite flushed when she noticed something. The letters she had collected in the emerald grave were sitting beneath a report from Cullen. "What's this?" she said quickly, picking up the report, while still leaning warmly against Cullen.

"Oh," Cullen said quickly, "I found the Red Templar's primary source of red lyrium," he told her. "I thought I'd wait to inform you till tomorrow's war meeting. You've enough going on as it is…"

"Cullen," said Eve straight away. She knew how important tracking down Samson was to him. "You didn't have to wait to tell me. I'll leave as soon as possible to investigate this."

Cullen gave a dull smile; she had only just got back. "Don't… rush into it for me," he said quietly. "Whenever you think appropriate-"

"No this is good," Eve insisted. "This… this gets Aidan out of the castle while Leliana can have more time to investigate my parents… it gets us closer to finding Samson, I'll make arrangements as soon as possible!"

She looked back to Cullen, noticing he did not seem so thrilled. "What's wrong?" she asked quickly.

"What?" he said quickly. "No, nothing. I'm… glad you are willing to investigate this… I just…" he swallowed, rubbing the back of his neck and unable to hold her gaze. "I know It's stupid… but I… I worry every time you leave this castle…"

Eve's heart throbbed in her chest, her eyes softening immediately. "Oh…" she said quietly, slowly laying the report back down. She hadn't thought about how that made Cullen feel. "I…I'll be fine Cullen," she smiled reassuringly.

"I know," Cullen said quickly, looking back to her shining, blue eyes. He forced a smile. "Well you should get some rest then," he said, trying to sound confident. "Emprise Du Lion is quite the march. And… so I hear… crawling with Red Templars…"

Eve slowly leant back to stand on her own two feet. She could tell how worried he was even though he was desperate to hide it. "The important thing is," she said reassuringly. "That we are going to find Samson."

Cullen nodded, "I certainly hope so…" he said lowly.

Aidan sat against the bar, his head resting in his arms while his mind spun as the large amount of alcohol he had consumed threatened to finally make him pass out.

Dorian saw him on entering the tavern, he looked at him for a moment before walking over and taking a seat beside him.

"Aidan…" he said quietly, a small smile on his lips as his eyes swept over the back of his head.

Aidan groaned, "Mm sleeping…"

Dorian's smile grew a little, sympathising with the man. A number of months ago this had been Dorian. Drowning himself in liquor the night after seeing his Father again. "Maybe you should go to sleep in your room?" he suggested quietly. "You know, in that thing called a 'bed'?"

Aidan heaved his head up, laying it back down on his arms, but on the side so that he could look at Dorian through blurry eyes. "Dorian?" he mumbled.

Dorian raised his eyebrows. "Well done, you may still have some cognitive activity going on in there…"

Aidan smiled slowly, "Hello…"

Dorian chuckled slightly. "Hi," he said in amusement, finding that thoroughly inebriated Aidan was very cute. "Would you like me to take you to bed?"

Aidan stared at him, trying to bring Dorian's face into focus. "Not even… going to ask me to dinner… first?" he stumbled, his voice slurred.

Dorian raised an eyebrow, laughing slightly. "And the shocking thing is I wouldn't be surprised if you said that sober…"

Aidan chuckled, turning his face back into his arms. "So… you will take me to dinner?" he mumbled.

Dorian watched him smiling softly. "Sure…" he said quietly.

Aidan didn't say anything, and Dorian noticed his breathing had slowed again. He sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder and shaking it. "You're asleep again…" he said wryly.

Aidan moaned something indistinguishable and Dorian shook his head. "Come on," he sighed, pulling at his shoulders. "Let's get you out of here…"

He managed to wake Aidan up enough to get him off the stool, the man leaning on him heavily when they finally stood up. "Mm fine… mm fine…" insisted Aidan sloppily, trying to hold Dorian back from half holding him up.

"You're not…" grunted Dorian as Aidan nearly fell over and he had to grab him by the arms to hold him up. "Maker… you're heavier than you look."

Aidan laughed slightly, then a little more, then he fell against Dorian, chuckling into his shoulder. "You're funny…" he muttered, smiling up at Dorian's face.

Dorian couldn't stop his smile, "And you're… very drunk."

Aidan smiled into his shoulder and Dorian became a little concerned he might try to fall asleep there next. "Are you… taking care of me?" asked Aidan in a muffled voice into his tunic.

"I'm certainly trying…" sighed Dorian. "You're making it very difficult."

Aidan stared laughing again and Dorian struggled to hold him up once more. "I need…" mumbled Aidan, allowing Dorian to push him into a standing position and begin leading him from the tavern. "To find Evie…"

"No, you need, to find your bed," insisted Dorian, wrapping an arm around Aidan's back to keep guiding him toward the castle. "Which… I actually don't know where that is," he added. "Do you think you can… remember…?" he asked dubiously, peering at Aidan from the side.

Aidan pointed toward the Inquisitor's quarters. "That way," he said determinedly, before his arm flopped back to his side.

"Aidan," sighed Dorian. "You're not going to your sister right now."

Aidan groaned, "She doesn't… have a father…" he slurred. "I need to be… her father… figure…"

Dorian paused, looking at Aidan for a moment before rubbing his hand on his side slightly, but still leading him away from Eve's room. "You already are that to her," he said seriously. "But no one wants their drunk dad trying to give them advice, so let's just get you to your room. Remember where that is yet?"

Aidan shook his head and Dorian felt him getting heavier under his arm. He sighed heavily, "Fine…" he muttered. "My room. But you're not taking the bed. You won't be able to tell the difference between that and the couch anyway…" he muttered, but Aidan wasn't listening. Either that, or he wasn't able to focus on anything anymore.

Dorian practically dragged him through the halls, while Aidan had no idea where he was. He turned his head to look at Dorian, a sleepy smile on his face. Dorian glanced at him, sensing the staring.

"Yes?" he said, quirking an eyebrow.

Aidan lay his head on Dorian's shoulder. "You're pretty…" he mumbled.

Dorian swallowed, his heart flipping in his chest. He's drunk, he had to remind himself, desperately trying to ignore how much he liked his head resting on his shoulder. How much he liked having his arm around him. How much he wanted to think that compliment meant more than the words they were.

They finally reached his room and Dorian pulled him through the door, leaving Aidan to stand on his own two feet for a moment so that he could close his door. He turned back and sighed immediately. Aidan had fallen face first onto his bed and was slowly shuffling up toward the pillows. Dorian couldn't stop a half amused, half annoyed smile from crossing his lips.

He shook his head, crossing the room and taking a seat on the bed beside Aidan. "Really?" he said dryly. "Are you going to try and say this was an accident? Because I think you have enough awareness in there to know exactly what you're doing."

Aidan opened his eyes, looking up at Dorian as though he was a long way away and Dorian knew he hadn't heard a word he'd just said. "Didju… forgive your father, Dorian?" he mumbled wearily.

Dorian looked at him in surprise, looking at his very tired, but still such gorgeous, brown eyes closely. "No…" he said quietly. "I… don't think I can forgive him. I… just moved on."

Aidan rolled his head to the side, looking very confused again. "Smells nice…" he mumbled, burrowing his head into a pillow. "S'like you…"

Dorian raised an eyebrow, smiling a little while his heart tingled lightly in his chest again. "I'm going to be sleeping on the couch, aren't I…?" he sighed as Aidan let out a long breath, settling deeply into the bed.

Aidan didn't reply again, too far into the unconscious world. Dorian looked at him for a moment, enjoying the free reign he had to examine his handsome face. "Well," he said quietly, "This certainly isn't how I've imagined taking you to bed," he said, knowing Aidan would not know or hear what he was saying. He watched him for a moment longer before leaning down to take off his boots, convincing himself that he was doing that for the sake of his bed. He placed the shoes on the floor, looking at the other half of the bed that was vacant… and very tempting.

But, not a good idea. He wasn't sure how the man would react in the morning as it was.

He heaved a resigned sigh and moved to lie on the couch… his bed for the night.

A/N Wow, Thank you so much everyone for all the reviews on the last chapter! You're all so amazing! For the guest reviews that I can't reply to, thank you so much! Sorry for the delay on this one, busy week at work. But, at least it's a longer chapter than usual! :D